Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD6 and GA-P55A-UD4P Review

Let's first take a look at the P55A-UD4P. Taking a quick glance we can see that the board has an extraordinarily neat layout. However, digging a little deeper shows us that it's Gigabyte has brought more to the table, then just a neat layout. For instance, the UD4P is fully equipped with Japanese Solid Capacitors, Lower RDS(on) MOSFETs, and Ferrite Core Chokes. Sure, a lot of companies feature similar components, but the P55A-UD4P has something that others don't. This is a 2-oz Copper PCB. That's right! Instead of the usual 1Oz of copper, the P55A-UD4P has two .070mm copper layers. This will give you cooler temperatures, more energy efficiency, and enhanced stability while overclocking (So they say). The back of the PCB is shiny, blue, and sexy!

Â

Â

Â

Â

Â

Â

Â

Â

Â

Â

Â

Â

The area around the side of the motherboard closest to the LGA 1156 socket is fairly boring. It did however, have a fan connector! The I/O Panel side of the board, on the other hand, is much more intriguing. It comes fully equipped with everything you'll need. The user will be able to utilize ten USB ports, two eSATA ports, two LAN ports, a PS/2 port, a digital audio port, a FireWire port, and your standard audio ports. Wow, that was a mouthful! The other end of the board is where you'll be connecting the front header ports. It's got pretty much everything we see on motherboards. The one complaint I have here, is that the IDE connector is located in this very area. I absolutely hate this, why? Not because it effects the layout, but because I'm semi OCD and like the IDE connector being right next to the 24Pin connector. Oh well, guess I'll have to get over it! Speaking of the 24-Pin connector, right next to it is a total of eight SATA ports. That should keep you hard drive hungry users happy!

Â

Â

Â

The P55A-UD4P will allow you to use four DIMMs of DDR3 memory. The board supports Dual Channel memory, so you'll need to alternate DIMM slots in order to utilize it. Located right next to the DIMM slots is the 24-Pin power connector. The 8-Pin Auxiliary power connector is located in the motherboards corner, which should help improve wire management. As far as PCI slots you'll be able to use three PCIe X 1 slots, two PCIe X 16 slots, and 2 PCI slots. However, using two standard size videocards will block one of the PCIe X 1 slots, and one of the PCI slots.

Â

Â

Â

I've already mentioned the eight SATA ports, but I didn't mention that they were all angled. This makes it extremely easy to manage/hide wires, unless of course you're rocking a cramped case. In which case, you may have to deal with a rats nest. Located behind these ports is the P55A-UD4P's dual BIOS. To the left of this are two fan connectors. As far as front panel connectors go you'll have your usual offerings. You'll also be able to use two USB connectors, a FDD connector, a LPT connector, a COM port, and an IDE connector. Right above the IDE connector is the clear CMOS jumper, which could come in handy if you're overclocking.

Â

Â

Â

Almost in the center of the P55A-UD4P is the 12 Phase power, and the LGA 1156 socket. For those of you that are still paranoid of the "LGA 1156 socket problem." You'll be pleased to know that the P55A-UD4P uses a LOTES socket.